The acappella sections are generally in a mock middle age, plain song style, but those with the orchestra contain Barry's more 20th Century rhythms. In fact, the opening title track contains plenty of off the beat rhythms that are a wonderful mixture of the ancient sound, with Barry's own style and the dramatic needs of the film. It shouldn't work, but yet it does, splendidly. This version contains several cues that weren't contained on the original album, notably the early Joust and Battle cue and the splendid Fanfare for Philip and The Great Hall Feast.
Perhaps of more interest to Barry fans is a suite from Mary, Queen of Scots. It's unfortunate that more from this score couldn't have been included as it's up there on the list of Barry scores that really ought to see the light of day on CD. The main theme is familiar from compilations, quite lovely in its simplicity. The highlights are perhaps the less familiar parts, the jaunty But Not Through My Realm being particularly wonderful; a bouncing woodwind figure over which is placed a longer line string melody.
The performance by the Prague Orchestra and Crouch End Festival Orchestra are typically excellent. They always are with their Barry performances, although I'd suggest that The Lion in Winter is more taxing than typical Barry. For The Lion in Winter, the better sonics are a definite bonus over the slightly harsh original album and of course the extra cues are of interest. This is likely the best we can hope for with regard to Mary, Queen of Scots, but it's a tempting sample from another great score. One great Barry score and a taste of another for the price of one make it well worth picking up, even if you already have the original Lion in Winter album.
Rating ~ 
Mary, Queen of Scots - Suite